Australia's newest apple pipped for success

West Australian Department of Agriculture and Food researchers have developed Australia's newest apple ANABP 01, which department says is 'a good balance between sugar and acid'. The fruit is expected to rival WA's most successful apple, the Pink Lady.

West Australian Department of Agriculture and Food researchers have developed Australia's newest apple ANABP 01, which department says is 'a good balance between sugar and acid'. The fruit is expected to rival WA's most successful apple, the Pink Lady.

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West Australian orchardists are 'cautiously confident' about the success of Australia's newest apple.

Researchers from the West Australian Department of Agriculture and Food (DAFWA) have cultivated Australia's newest apple, which is anticipated to rival WA's most successful apple, the Pink Lady.

DAFWA has spent 20 years working on the sweet and crispy apple, which was known as The Black Apple during its development.

The fruit has been officially given the title ANABP 1 until it is renamed for commercial sale.

The apple is a cross between Royal Gala and the Cripps Red, or Sundowner, and is dark burgundy in colour.

It is said to have a 'distinct sweetness' and 'crisp and crunch'.

Terry Martella is a second generation orchardist whose family has been growing apples in Kirup in the state's south west for 62 years.

Mr Martella has had the new apple variety in the ground for about a year and is 'cautiously confident' about its success.

"It has a real point of difference in its appearance and its very good to eat," he said.

"We're quite confident that it's a good variety."

Mr Martella says ongoing research by DAFWA into the creation and development of new apple varieties is vital to the competitiveness of the industry.

"It's imperative," he said.

"When you're dealing with the chain stores, they are always looking for something new - people get bored with old stuff."

Minister for Agriculture and Food Ken Baston says DAFWA staff should be congratulated on their work on the 'impressive' apple.

Mr Baston says the time invested into this project is a value in itself.

"It is very different in a sense the way it stands out, but it's a magnificent apple," he said.

The Australian National Apple Breeding Program was responsible for the creation of the new apple, which is funded by the Western Australian State Government and Horticulture Australia Limited.

Industry body Fruit West Cooperative Limited will manage the commercialisation of the apple, which is expected to be commercially available by 2016.